Susan Harden

Susan Harden is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and the Director of the Civic Minor in Urban Youth and Communities. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teaching with a Cultural Studies concentration from UNC Greensboro (2001), an M.S. in Economics from UNC Charlotte (1993), and a B.S. in Financial Management from Clemson University (1988).

Her research focuses on deepening community engagement in cultural institutions, advancing engaged scholarship in higher education, and innovative pedagogy for teacher education. She has received notable awards including the 2017 Leadership Charlotte Legacy Award for her behind-the-scenes community leadership and the 2009 Civic Engagement Professional of the Year. Dr. Harden has served on the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners and as Faculty President at UNC Charlotte (2023).

Her work involves partnerships with organizations like the Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and Clean Air Carolina. Key publications address community-based research, museum roles in cultural change, and strategies for educational equity. She advises students such as P. McDaniel and has led numerous evaluation projects funded by grants.

Dr. Harden’s professional development includes the American Leadership Forum (2015–2016) and the Emerging Engagement Scholars Workshop (2013). She is affiliated with the RISING Community Engaged Research Group and regularly speaks on social trust, service learning, and civic engagement.